When the Hickman family set out to make a difference, their vision was clear: to support a cause that touches countless lives, including their own. With an extraordinary $6 million gift to the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, the Hickmans are championing a brighter future for cancer research and treatment—uniting human and animal healthcare in groundbreaking ways. This remarkable contribution establishes an endowed chair in oncology and fuels innovative research at MSU, where the unique intersection of veterinary and human medicine drives transformative discoveries.

The Spartan family—including Stephen Hickman; his wife, Sally; their daughters Stephanie Hickman Boyse and Tracy Hickman; and Tracy’s spouse, Chad Munger—all came together for this multigenerational gift.